Spring structure



June 17 1924.

L. A. YOUNG SPRING STRUCTURE 1922 2 Shee tsSheet 1 Filed June 5INVENTOR. Zea/70rd 6. Young ATTORNEYS June 17 1924.

L. A. YOUNG SPRING STRUCTURE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 5, 1922INVENTOR. Zea/70rd /7. Val/fig 536,41

EIQIIIE.

A TTORNEYI atented June 17,1924.

- NITED STATES PATENT oFl-ica.

LEONARD A. YOUNG, OFIBLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP, OAKLAND COUNTY, MICHIGAN, AS-SIG-NOR T0 L. A. YOUNG INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATED, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

srzame smuc'rmm Application filed June 5, 1922. Serial No. 565,548.

Structures, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in spring structures. v

The objects of this invention are:

First, to provide a spring structure adapted for automobile 'cushionsand the like which may be made of comparatively light material, and, atthe same time, one which is not likely to get out of shape in use orhandling in the factory or assembling the parts.

, Second, to rovide an improved cush1on spring comprising a bottomborder frame which facilltates the assembling of the up.- holstery andeffectively supports the same with a minimum of strain and wear thereon.

Further. objects, and objects pertainin to details and economies ofconstruction an operation will definitely appear from the detaileddescription to follow.

I accomplish the objects of my invention by the devices and meansdescribed in the following specification. The invention is clearlydefined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure which is a preferred embodiment of my invention is clearlyillustrated in the accompanying drawing forming a part of thisspecification, in which:

Fig. I is aiperspective view of an automobile seat cushion embodying thefeatures of my invention.

Fig. II is a detail vertical section on a line corresponding to line 22of Fig. I.

Fig. III is a fragmentary bottom view before the upholstering isapplied.

Fig. IV is an enlarged detail vertical section on a line correspondingto line 44 of Fig. III showing structural details.

Fig. V is a fragmentary perspective view of the bottom border frame.

In the drawing the sectional views are taken looking in the direction ofthe little arrows, at the ends of the section lines and similar numeralsof reference refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawing, the cushion illustrated is a single seat, orhalf automobile cushion, as they are frequently called. I

desire to point out at this point that my improvements are particularlydesirable for use in the full* automobile seat cushions as there isgreater need for cushions having my improvements; However, as a matterof convenience the smaller cushion hasbeen illustrated.

I provide a tubular border frame 1- formed of sheet metal, the innerportion 2 of the frame being curved upwardly and inwardly providing theinwardly facing channel 3 adapted to receive the bottom coils 4 of thebody upholstery springs 5. The

edge 6 of the outer portion of theframe member is disposed against thecurved channel forming portion.' This provides a very rigid frame, evenwhen made of comparatively light material, a rounded outer surface beingpresented. The springs 5 are preferably arranged in rows as shown in.Fig. III, the bottom coils of the outer springs being engaged in thischannel which is clamped or indented at 7 over the bottom coils, thusfirmly securing them tothe-frame. The cross strips 8 are preferably ofU- cross section as illustrated, the bottom coils of the rows of springsbeing connected thereby, and the str1ps being clamped upon the coils at9. These cross strips are floating strips, that is, they are connectedto the border frame only through the bottom coils of springs. This is ofadvantage in that it greatly simplifies manufacture, no improved framebeing of suflicient rigidity that it does not require that the crossstrips be directly secured thereto to provide bracing members; and,further, the cushion bottom may accommodate itself to the platform orseat on which the cushion is arranged,

thereby relieving the cushion of strainsto which it would otherwise besubjected.

In the structure illustrated, I provide an inwardly facing U-shaped topborder frame 1O engagin strips 11 su stantially the same as the crossstrips for the bottom. The n bolstering 12 is provided with a skirt orsi e portions 13, the lower edges of which are drawn around the bottomborder frame, as shown in Fig. II, and secured to the cushion bottom 14.The skirt portion is effectively. sup orted by the border frame, not onlduring the u bolstering operations in w 'ch the upho storing is drawntight aroundthe frame, and any springing or yielding thereof is theouter coils, and the cross objectionable, but the frame presents arounded surface of considerable dimensions so that it is easily drawnaround the frame and the frame does not out or unduly wear theupholstery.

The frame may be made of comparatively light material and at the sametime is rigid and does not become distorted in shipment or handling orassembling the springs. It will be understood that it is the generalpractice for one manufacturer to construct the spring ortion of thecushion. It is then shippe to the automobile manufacturer where theupholstering is applied. It is, of course, greatly to be desired that itshall reach the hands of the upholsterer in good condition.- As pointedout, the structure facilitates the upholsterers work, as well asproviding a very desirable completed structure.

Having thus described my invention what i ,I claim as new and desire tosecure by Let ters Patent is:

y 1. Ina sprin structure, the combination of a tubular bo tom borderframe of sheet metal having wardly and inwardly providing an inwarditsinner portion curved upearner ly' facing channel, the edge of the outerportion of said frame being disposed against the-said channel curveprovidin a round bottomed rigid frame, springs isposed in rows with thecoils of the outer springs engaged in said border frame channel, an 11holstery covering comprising a skirt portion disposed with its loweredge around said border frame, and a bottom secured to the skirt portionof. said upholstering within said frame.

2. In a spring structure, the combination of a tubular bottom borderframe of sheet metal havingits inner portion curved upwardl andlnwardly, providing an inwardly faclng channel, the edge of the outerportion of said frame being disposed against the said channel curveprovidin a round bottomed rigid frame, springs disposed in rows with thecoils of the outer springs engagled in said border frame channel, and anP I olstery covering comprising a skirt port1on embracing said borderframe.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal.

LEONARD A. YOUNG. 5. 5.

